Plugged (Daniel McEvoy, #1) by Eoin Colfer — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists Shelves: crime-and-mystery , 2011 , bouchercon Bouncer Daniel McEvoy's life spins out of control when the girl he loves winds up dead, his friend turns up missing, thugs all over town are gunning for him, and his crazy neighbor may be in love with him. Worse yet, he's going bald... I heard Eoin Colfer speak at BoucherCon 2011 and he was so hilarious I had to immediately snap this one up. I was not disappointed. Plugged is a damn fine adult novel from Colfer, much better than the Hitchhiker's Guide sequel he wrote a couple years ago. Daniel McE Bouncer Daniel McEvoy's life spins out of control when the girl he loves winds up dead, his friend turns up missing, thugs all over town are gunning for him, and his crazy neighbor may be in love with him. Worse yet, he's going bald... I heard Eoin Colfer speak at BoucherCon 2011 and he was so hilarious I had to immediately snap this one up.

I was not disappointed. Plugged is a damn fine adult novel from Colfer, much better than the Hitchhiker's Guide sequel he wrote a couple years ago. Daniel McEvoy is a great lead character; funny without being a smart ass, not particularly handsome or bright, and more than a little worried about going bald, hence his hair transplant. See, the title has more than one meaning. Plugged as in shot or as in hair transplant. Get it? Nevermind. The characters other than McEvoy aren't as well developed but are still an interesting bunch. There's Zeb, the unlicensed doctor, Mrs. Delano, Daniel's crazy neighbor, Detective Deacon, Vic, Irish Mike, the list goes on and on. For most of the book, the reader is as much in the dark as Daniel. While Plugged is a good mystery with plenty of twists and turns, the humor is by far the draw. It's chock full of dark Irish wit and self-deprecating humor. I could easily see it being optioned for a movie starring Simon Pegg. Plugged is an easy four star book. However, it wasn't without some rocky patches.

The who killed Connie subplot seemed forgotten and the bit with Irish Mike wasn't quite firing on all cylinders. (view spoiler) [I also have an issue with a floppy disk being able to hold an entire video of a hair transplant operation. It seems like Colfer should have used a thumb drive or similar device to serve as the McGuffin. (hide spoiler) ] Like I said, Plugged is an easy four. I'll be watching for more novels by Colfer in the future. ...more Shelves: crime-fiction Daniel McEvoy is an Irish ex-soldier now living in New Jersey and working as a doorman at a seedy, low-rent casino. His only real friend is the off-beat doctor who's doing Daniel's hair transplant. Then one night Daniel has to throw an egomaniacal lawyer out of the casino and things take a serious turn for the worse. Daniel soon finds himself in the middle of a series of murders and criminal schemes, none of which he understands and all of which pose a serious threat to his life and liberty. For Daniel McEvoy is an Irish ex-soldier now living in New Jersey and working as a doorman at a seedy, low-rent casino.

His only real friend is the off-beat doctor who's doing Daniel's hair transplant. Then one night Daniel has to throw an egomaniacal lawyer out of the casino and things take a serious turn for the worse. Daniel soon finds himself in the middle of a series of murders and criminal schemes, none of which he understands and all of which pose a serious threat to his life and liberty. Fortunately, Daniel still has serious skills left over from his army days in Lebanon. He also has a gift for improvisation that keeps him alive and one step ahead of the bad guys, at least for a while. Colfer is a talented writer, and I'd happily read another of his books. My only complaint about this one is that it started to wear a bit thin at the end. Colfer appears torn between wanting to write a serious crime novel or something fairly humorous along the lines of Carl Hiassen. But he doesn't quite succeed in pulling it off. There's enough fairly serious violence in the book as to make the more comedic parts seem not quite right. Also, there are one or two too many oddball characters in the book, and one or two too many scenes where the suspension of disbelief is just a bit too strained.

There are a lot of good scenes in this book, but in the end, the sum of the parts may not be quite up to the level of some of the parts themselves. Shelves: 2fiction , mystery-thriller , 1audio , 3series For some reason I thought Colfer was a YA novelist & put off listening to this book. I shouldn't have. It was an adult mystery full of humor & intrigue. McEvoy is a great character with a wonderful back story that's slowly filled in. All the characters are memorable & the situation is fluid. While this book stands well enough alone, there's certainly room for more. McEvoy is just that sort of character, an Irish Don Quixote in New Jersey. Just one little thing leads to another & For some reason I thought Colfer was a YA novelist & put off listening to this book. I shouldn't have. It was an adult mystery full of humor & intrigue. McEvoy is a great character with a wonderful back story that's slowly filled in. All the characters are memorable & the situation is fluid. While this book stands well enough alone, there's certainly room for more.

McEvoy is just that sort of character, an Irish Don Quixote in New Jersey. Just one little thing leads to another & ... well, it was a lot of fun. Very well read, too. Can't wait to get the next. ...more Oct 02, 2011 Jeffrey Keeten rated it really liked it · review of another edition A breezy, fast read without a single "50 cent word" in the book. I would almost say this is a hard boiled noir, certainly Colfer amasses a respectable body count, but despite Colfer's best efforts he is a nice guy and he had a hard time really convincing me that anything truly horrible was ever going to happen. For me the strength in the book was in the characterizations. Daniel McEvoy is likable and certainly capable. He does get himself out of some seemingly impossible ways with a combination A breezy, fast read without a single "50 cent word" in the book. I would almost say this is a hard boiled noir, certainly Colfer amasses a respectable body count, but despite Colfer's best efforts he is a nice guy and he had a hard time really convincing me that anything truly horrible was ever going to happen.

For me the strength in the book was in the characterizations. Daniel McEvoy is likable and certainly capable. He does get himself out of some seemingly impossible ways with a combination of brute strength, ingenuity, and luck. Zeb Kronski/Ghost Zeb is one of those guys that is always living on the edges of society providing those services for people looking for assistance at a discount that may or may not be exactly legal. One of those guys you want to know, but never want to acknowledge you know. Detective Deacon, is an over the top police detective of Amazon proportions and mind. She is the other half of the equation in the one true sexual situation in the book though Colfer steps aside from actually describing anything but the sketchiest details about the event. He does bashfully apologize afterwards for not giving us more titillation. Sofia Delano may be the most interesting sub-character. She lives upstairs from Daniel and entertains herself by yelling rude comments through the floor to McEvoy. He ends up endearing himself to her by fixing her window and suddenly he is manifested in her mind as her husband Carmine. He finds himself strangely attracted to her. Aren't we all from time to time attracted to crazy women?

Though he does engage in a bit of heavy petting with Mrs. Delano, McEvoy avoids actually taking advantage of her. Another point were Colfer goes up to the line, but doesn't really score the points for a hard boiled novel. I guess my conclusion is that this is really a soft boiled novel masquerading as a hard boiled novel. Yes there is some language, mostly in an Irish accent, so more endearing than truly unseemly. The body count climbs as the book progresses, but comes no where near Red Harvest. There is graphic violence, but not described in gruesome detail. There is cleverness, some humor, and some deftly placed twists to the plot. I vacillated between three and four stars and decided to give the push to four because ultimately I had a good time reading it. ...more Shelves: mystery , crime , humour It proved impossible to take this book seriously, so I didn't even try. I'm too used to Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books, and in a way, this hasn't grown up much from that -- just in the subject matter and the rating (for language and violence).

It doesn't touch Raymond Chandler in terms of the detective character, who isn't nearly as quick-thinking, slick-talking, smart-assing as Philip Marlowe. On the other hand, he's fun in himself, with his inner monologues and his stupid ideas. To be honest, It proved impossible to take this book seriously, so I didn't even try. I'm too used to Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books, and in a way, this hasn't grown up much from that -- just in the subject matter and the rating (for language and violence). It doesn't touch Raymond Chandler in terms of the detective character, who isn't nearly as quick-thinking, slick-talking, smart-assing as Philip Marlowe. On the other hand, he's fun in himself, with his inner monologues and his stupid ideas. To be honest, I didn't even try to follow the mystery, just sat back for the ride. And it was a fun one. I think I'd probably have more complaints if I'd gone into reading this with super-high expectations, but I was just ready for Eoin Colfer to make me smile and maybe giggle a little, and he did that.

(I have the girliest giggle in the world, it's terrible.) ...more Apr 08, 2012 Scott Asher rated it it was ok When I was a Middle School literature teacher I petitioned my Principal to change up the normal reading schedule, ditching Red Badge of Courage and bringing in a new series I found at the Scholastic warehouse: Artemis Fowl. My kids and I were in love from page one so I’ve been a fan of Eoin Colfer for years. This book is not Artemis Fowl. This book is piss, vinegar and vulgarity wrapped in laugh out loud funny. Plugged Read by John Keating Overlook Hardcover & AudioGO September 20 When I was a Middle School literature teacher I petitioned my Principal to change up the normal reading schedule, ditching Red Badge of Courage and bringing in a new series I found at the Scholastic warehouse: Artemis Fowl. My kids and I were in love from page one so I’ve been a fan of Eoin Colfer for years. This book is not Artemis Fowl. This book is piss, vinegar and vulgarity wrapped in laugh out loud funny.

Plugged Overlook Hardcover & AudioGO September 2011 Daniel McEvoy is a doorman at a zero star nightclub, Slotz, in New Jersey. Born in Ireland raised in the Army fighting in Lebanon, he is one tough bouncer. When his wanna-be girl Connie is found in the ally behind the club shot dead between the eyes, Daniel gets busy looking for the killer. Coincidentally, (or not,) Daniel earlier in the day had to kill a local mobster’s heavy at his doctor’s office on the way to getting more hair implants. Yes, “Plugged” refers to Daniel’s hair implants. It’s that kind of book. Daniel struggles to find Connie’s killer, avoid the local mobster’s ire, and save the lives of those around him who couldn’t care less for him. His Doctor, Zeb, starts haunting Daniel’s thoughts in seemingly unhelpful ways. A detective tries to kill her partner and ends up shot herself. A local criminal lawyer needs his “product” picked up from local steroid dealers. All Daniel needs to do is find a way to live, save the lives of all those who can’t help themselves, find Zeb (alive, if possible,) and avoid jail.

No big deal. While you may read the quote on the cover – If you loved Artemis Fowl…It’s time to grow up! – you may be tempted not to take it seriously. You should. Because this book is way, way different! Sure, Colfer’s humor and sarcasm is a huge part of this book, but what was unexpected was the vulgar language and topics. This isn’t noir so much as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels on crack and required to curse at least twice a sentence. Consider how Daniel is introduced: he and his fellow bouncer are spending time determining if females they can see have implants, then Daniel is taken to an altercation that happens between previously mentioned criminal lawyer who has just licked the bottom of one of the hostesses at Slotz. It only get’s more raunchy from there. There aren’t any graphic descriptions of sexuality or murder, as the goal of this book seems to be raunchy comedy instead of shock violence. F-bombs and more drop like frogs from the sky at an Egyptian apocalypse – ominous and unwelcome. And funny this book is! Very funny! I can’t remember the last time I laughed out loud so often.

Unfortunately, I also can’t remember the last time I cringed so often reading a book either. Colfer’s first “adult” book seems to be compensating for his “teen” and “children’s” novels and what he doesn’t realize is that he doesn’t need to. His children’s books are genius and he doesn’t have to prove anything. If Colfer intends to write books like this one going forward, then I’ll remember his previous books fondly and avoid his future work. A note about the audio book: John Keating did a great job with accents and voice acting. It is so rare to get a good Irish accent, but this one was right on. Characters are well developed vocally. The audio book was actually more entertaining than reading the text! Published at BookGateway.com ...more Shelves: adult , owned-print-books , favorite-authors , library , contemporary , thriller , series , suspense , crime Plugged sure was something different from the other books I've read by this author since this one is more for the adult crowd. And I'm really glad that I ended up liking it a lot, though it's not really surprising because it's Eoin Colfer. I would read anything by him.

This book is about the Irish Daniel McEvoy, who works as a bouncer at a crammy club in New Jersey. When the girl he likes, Connie, one of the clubs hostesses is killed is murdered and his good friend Zeb goes missing and possibily Plugged sure was something different from the other books I've read by this author since this one is more for the adult crowd. And I'm really glad that I ended up liking it a lot, though it's not really surprising because it's Eoin Colfer. I would read anything by him. This book is about the Irish Daniel McEvoy, who works as a bouncer at a crammy club in New Jersey. When the girl he likes, Connie, one of the clubs hostesses is killed is murdered and his good friend Zeb goes missing and possibily killed, Dan starts getting into all sorts of trouble. I really enjoyed the main character's voice. I don't know what it was about him but I just liked reading about Dan. I couldn't really help but like him and feel bad for him with all the trouble that was transpiring since Connie got murdered. The story was also pretty gritty, which again is so different from Colfer's usual work.

I loved that. And as per usual with Colfers books, it also had a good couple of side characters that you can't help but like. Overall, Plugged was a great book. The story was solid, the conversations were witty and the characters were all interesting to read about. Although this really isn't my usual genre, I did enjoy the story. I'm pretty much convinced that Eoin Colfer can write anything that I will like. I can't wait to read the second book! ...more May 17, 2011 Fembat rated it really liked it I admit it, even if they are children’s books, I absolutely adore the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. They are always light hearted and thoroughly entertaining reads – and Artemis, for me, is one of the most fascinating fictional teenage characters. The quality of writing always transcends their classification of children’s books and, if you do enjoy imaginative stories, they come highly recommend. So, with that said, I will continue to give you my verdict on Eoins first step into adult fict I admit it, even if they are children’s books, I absolutely adore the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.

They are always light hearted and thoroughly entertaining reads – and Artemis, for me, is one of the most fascinating fictional teenage characters. The quality of writing always transcends their classification of children’s books and, if you do enjoy imaginative stories, they come highly recommend. So, with that said, I will continue to give you my verdict on Eoin´s first step into adult fiction. Synopsis Dan, an Irishman who’s ended up in New Jersey, finds himself embroiled in a world of murder, kidnapping and corrupt cops. Dan works as a bouncer in a seedy club, half in love with hostess Connie. When Connie is murdered on the premises, a vengeful Dan finds himself embroiled in an increasingly deadly sequence of events in which his doctor friend Zeb goes mysteriously missing, a cop-killing female cop becomes his only ally, and he makes an enemy of ruthless drug-dealer Mike Madden. Written with the warmth and wit that make the Artemis Fowl novels so irresistible, though with additional torture and violence, PLUGGED is a brilliant crime debut from a naturally gifted writer with a huge fanbase. Verdict Plugged represents a definite department for acclaimed author Eoin Colfer.

There is a familiarity of style and, whilst they are definitely targeted at the adult market, they have lost none of their imaginative humorous style. Its a crime novel with wit and plenty of style. Plugged is narrated by Dan, a former Irish soldier who joined the army because he figured that it was ”better dying overseas than living at home”. He murky past and war experiences have left him with a litany of mental health problems and an aura that according to one gypsy he met looks like “shark-infested water” and a set of hair plugs that have yet to take. Pretty soon into the book all hell breaks lose for him. No further spoilers are coming from me but I will tell you the wit of this book is so sharp I have paper cuts. Its inventive, fast paced and downright hilarious. I have always considered Eoin to be an inventive and intelligent storyteller who writes beautifully, only now his books have grown up. Highly recommended reading and, if you arent afraid of reading childrens books or consider yourself “above them” check our the Artemis Fowl novels for some light hearted and fun reads too.

...more Jul 05, 2015 Andrew rated it really liked it · review of another edition And finally I get round to reading the first book of Daniel McEvoy and I wasnt disappointed and as I expected (though no surprised) it did explain a lot about how the events and characters came to be in its sequel (Screwed) - along with an suitable explanation for the title, all I can say is follicle transplants. But the book itself is a wonderful mix of action, dry dialogue and situations which seem to be driven out of sheer bad luck, poor assumptions and just generally being in the wrong place And finally I get round to reading the first book of Daniel McEvoy and I wasnt disappointed and as I expected (though no surprised) it did explain a lot about how the events and characters came to be in its sequel (Screwed) - along with an suitable explanation for the title, all I can say is follicle transplants. But the book itself is a wonderful mix of action, dry dialogue and situations which seem to be driven out of sheer bad luck, poor assumptions and just generally being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The book has a great way of weaving a story which honestly Daniel had no plan for let alone intention of getting embroiled in Eoin Colfer has made a name for himself from everything from YA stories to official Hitch-hikers guide sequels but this is a total departure to any of those and he pulls it off so easily. I will admit when I read Screwed I was going purely on the name knowing next to nothing about the story. it was so different it was wonderful and that pleasure is not lost on this book either - I hope in time Mr Colfer does decide to return to Daniel I think there are many more adventures and scrapes out there waiting for him to get involved in. ...more Nov 07, 2015 Helen rated it liked it The narration for this audiobook by John Keating was fantastic, unfortunately it could not elevate what was simply an okay book. Shelves: books-owned Plugged is a story about an ex-military man who had served the Irish Army Daniel McEvoy and is now just a doorman at a casino in a fictitious New Jersey town, Cloisters.

Apparently he has no problems, with only tonsorial concerns, as he looks like a seventy year old due to his baldness; until one day when he picks a fight with a certain influential lawyer. Since then, his colleague and girlfriend, Connie is found dead, his former employer and friend, Doctor Zeb Kronski goes missing, presumably d Plugged is a story about an ex-military man who had served the Irish Army Daniel McEvoy and is now just a doorman at a casino in a fictitious New Jersey town, Cloisters. Apparently he has no problems, with only tonsorial concerns, as he looks like a seventy year old due to his baldness; until one day when he picks a fight with a certain influential lawyer. Since then, his colleague and girlfriend, Connie is found dead, his former employer and friend, Doctor Zeb Kronski goes missing, presumably dead, his house is ransacked and the worst part is that he is the prime suspect is Connie's murder case. He is being chased by a very dangerous drug dealer and the certain lawyer whom he had insulted at the casino. The only person on Dan’s side is a female police detective, a sort of ally who’d make you prefer your enemy.

But Dan himself is a very dangerous fellow, who has undergone rigid military training but at the same time, has some psychological problems, such as, his missing friend’s personality was in his mind, created out of his imagination and had conversations with him. While Colfer is to be appreciated for trying to display his versatility and that his probably the only reason for which he needs to be appreciated as well. I felt that the plot was bad, and the sequence of events occasionally made me wonder whether there was a plot at all. The writing was dull and I guess the author thinks that if he uses a couple of swear words in every page, he has successfully written a novel for adults. When I read a couple of pages from Ian Rankin’s ‘Strip Jack’, I felt, ‘this is the way in which a crime / thriller novel ought to be written. What Colfer has written is absolute nonsense’. I couldn’t differentiate between the plot and the sub-plot, probably there were two plots but they had one thing in common, both were lousy.

I guess this is the first time Colfer has thought of setting his story somewhere outside the British Isles but, it wouldn’t have made a difference whether he had it in US or anywhere else since in any case, it is taking place at a fictitious suburb and I could hardly see anything American in the characters who were in the novel. The bottom-line is that Plugged is just an overpriced novel which I shan’t recommend to anyone and the current thriller writers have nothing to fear from Colfer. While some might say that I’m being too harsh on Colfer since this is his first novel for adults, personally, I’ve very high expectations on Eoin Colfer. His Artemis Fowl series was the work that triggered the reading interest in me, who till then had been very sceptical about the particular hobby and it could be said that Astute is there today only because of Colfer. While I read several reviews before reading any novel, I had promised myself that I shall not read any reviews and the review I write for Plugged would be completely my own.

I have very high expectations on the upcoming last Artemis Fowl novel, that is due to come in another three days, 10th July, 2012 that is. I hope it doesn’t turn out to be as disappointing as Plugged. I’d give this novel a rating of 3/10 and I could perhaps say that I’m being a little generous while I’m doing so. Nevertheless, I shall not write Colfer off completely as his first Artemis Fowl novel by itself wasn’t all that impressive but he could pick up in the upcoming novels and I hope he manages to lodge a strong comeback in his next thriller novel if at all he decides to write one again. ...more May 25, 2011 Marleen rated it really liked it · review of another edition This was my first book by Eoin Colfer. My daughter has read and loved all the Artemis Fowl books though, I've met the author at a book signing and liked him and his sense of humour and I am a fan of the crime genre, so this book seemed a save bet. And I wasn't wrong.

This is a action packed book, but not to be taken too seriously with a story that has so much happening in it that I'm not quite sure how to summarize it. Daniel McEvoy is an ex Irish army sergeant working as a doorman in a low-grade This was my first book by Eoin Colfer. My daughter has read and loved all the Artemis Fowl books though, I've met the author at a book signing and liked him and his sense of humour and I am a fan of the crime genre, so this book seemed a save bet. And I wasn't wrong. This is a action packed book, but not to be taken too seriously with a story that has so much happening in it that I'm not quite sure how to summarize it. Daniel McEvoy is an ex Irish army sergeant working as a doorman in a low-grade New Jersey casino. His biggest worry is growing bold and he has recently had a hair transplant in the firm believe that all will be fine in his life if only he can get a full head of hair. During the week or so in which this story takes place, his hair will be the least of his worries, although it's never far from his thoughts.

It all starts when his friend and doctor Zeb Kronski disappears and McEvoy ends up killing a known gangster in the man's waiting room. From there things go downhill when a waitress in the casino where he works gets herself killed and McEvoy finds himself being framed for the murder. Soon McEvoy finds himself trying to clear his name for that murder, and trying to find Kronski, with a cop-killing cop as his ony ally and gangsters desperate to kill him. And while you might think that this would be enough to bring any man down, it turns out that his army training hasn't been wasted on McEvoy and that the Irish gift-of-the-gab can come in handy in New Jersey. There is quite a bit of violence in this story which should have made it very dark, but Colfer throws in enough light relief to make this a fun read. Yes there are deaths and blood and fights but there is also the voice of Zeb Kronski talking in McEvoy's head, the obsession with hairloss and a mad neighbour to keep the reader entertained.

And McEvoy is a hard man with a heart of gold, who can't help wanting to do the right thing even if it is against his better judgment, which makes him an easy character to like. I wonder if this is a stand-alone title or the first book in a series. If it is a series I think Mr. Colfer will need to be careful and not allow the stories to turn into a farce. However, if he manages to keep on getting the balance between violence and humour right, I'd love to read more books staring Daniel McEvoy. ...more Feb 08, 2012 Jason Edwards rated it it was ok Plugged started off so promising, in my opinion, and I wonder if that's why I'm a bit more let down than I might otherwise have been. I read the sample of the book offered by Barnes and Noble, and when I got to the end of the free part, going ahead with the purchase was a no brainer. I liked the way the main character talked: sarcastic, bitter, old before his time but not so long before that he hadn't earned his fatigue.

I liked the setting: a dive casino in an otherwise affluent New Jersey bedr Plugged started off so promising, in my opinion, and I wonder if that's why I'm a bit more let down than I might otherwise have been. I read the sample of the book offered by Barnes and Noble, and when I got to the end of the free part, going ahead with the purchase was a no brainer. I liked the way the main character talked: sarcastic, bitter, old before his time but not so long before that he hadn't earned his fatigue. I liked the setting: a dive casino in an otherwise affluent New Jersey bedroom community, gritty and dirty a seamy and all those other things so perfect for a crime novel. I liked where the plot was going: used-up ex-army doorman's one-time fling gets a hole in her head, and he needs to know why. Clichés, all, but this is why we read genre fiction sometimes But then it got silly. And maybe if I had known it was going to be silly, I would have been ready for it, and accepted it. I like a good farce.

But this doesn’t read like satire at all: it reads like someone who read a satire, didn’t realize it was satire, and decided to write something “just as good.” It’s like all of the cliché’s that were acceptable in the first few chapters gave the writer license to keep adding in more and more nonsense. Yes, I said that’s why we read genre fiction, sometimes. But we really are hoping that the writer takes all of those tired old ideas and does something unique with them. I almost said “unique or clever,” but I think I’m getting a little tired of clever. To his credit, Eoin Colfer maintains all of the tropes from the first few chapters throughout the novel, so it’s still readable. But I feel like “original” was sacrificed for “clever,” and the result may be readable, but hardly memorable. I know that sometimes writers write just to find out what happens. They’re as much slaves to the plot as the readers are. Maybe Colfer just kept writing himself into corners, so he took the goofy way out. But he’s allegedly an experienced writer—he wrote the Artemis Fowl novels, after all, and was commissioned to write the 6th Hitchhiker’s book.

So I don’t know what his excuse is. Maybe it’s all my fault, going in with high expectations. Maybe genre fiction is just genre fiction sometimes. Oh well. Shelves: 2011-reads Egged on by one of my favorite authors, Ken Bruen, to take a break from the world of young adult literature and enter the world of adult crime fiction, the author of the popular Artemis Fowl series of teen adventures turns to the seedy underbelly of New Jersey for this darkly funny tale of mobsters, murder and redemption. Daniel McEvoy mustered out of the Irish army after a couple of peacekeeping tours of Lebanon under his belt and is looking for a fresh start. Emigrating to America he finds the Egged on by one of my favorite authors, Ken Bruen, to take a break from the world of young adult literature and enter the world of adult crime fiction, the author of the popular Artemis Fowl series of teen adventures turns to the seedy underbelly of New Jersey for this darkly funny tale of mobsters, murder and redemption.

Daniel McEvoy mustered out of the Irish army after a couple of peacekeeping tours of Lebanon under his belt and is looking for a fresh start. Emigrating to America he finds the only jobs he can get are as bouncers at nightclubs, ending up at a sleazy New Jersey strip club. When one one of his favorite hostesses is harassed and then murdered, and his best friend is kidnapped, McEvoy is unwittingly plunged into his toughest mission since his military days. On the run from the mob, listening to a ghost of his missing friend and caught between two bloodthirsty cops, it will take all of Daniel's skills just to survive. This was a well written and frequently quite funny book: think Donald Westlake crossed with Alan Guthrie. Quite a bit of violence, so the squeamish might want to let this one pass by. But for fans of hard-boiled crime fiction with a touch of mordant humor, this is definitely a book to look out for.

...more Shelves: crime-and-thriller , review , books-i-own-paper , sub-abbau-2016 , a-bis-z-challenge-2016 , language-english Dieses Buch fällt unter das, was meine Oma wohl als Gaunerklamauk bezeichnet hätte. Der Hauptcharakter ist ein ehemaliger Soldat, jetzt Türsteher, Anfang 40 mit schütterem Haupthaar trotz Haartransplantation, der über eine Reihe kurioser Bekanntschaften und Freunde verfügt. Aufgrund einer Lüge seines besten Freundes (illegale Aktivitäten), einer erschossenen Kellnerin (seine Liebschaft), einer gehörigen Portion Paranoia gepaart mit dem Helfersyndrom gerät er nicht nur in polizeiliche Ermittlunge Dieses Buch fällt unter das, was meine Oma wohl als Gaunerklamauk bezeichnet hätte.

Der Hauptcharakter ist ein ehemaliger Soldat, jetzt Türsteher, Anfang 40 mit schütterem Haupthaar trotz Haartransplantation, der über eine Reihe kurioser Bekanntschaften und Freunde verfügt. Aufgrund einer Lüge seines besten Freundes (illegale Aktivitäten), einer erschossenen Kellnerin (seine Liebschaft), einer gehörigen Portion Paranoia gepaart mit dem Helfersyndrom gerät er nicht nur in polizeiliche Ermittlungen sondern auch in den Fokus der lokalen Mafia und damit von einem Schlamassel ins nächste. Das Buch hat Tempo, die Handlung geht zügig voran, mitunter so zügig, dass man nicht mehr hinterherkommt. Es gibt eine unerwartete Wendung nach der nächsten (und wenn ich sage unerwartet, meine ich wirklich unerwartet), was im letzten Drittel nicht nur aufhört, sondern auch aufgelöst wird.

Die Wendungen sind mitunter skurril, also durchaus nicht als glaubhaft zu bezeichnen, aber "Der Tod ist ein bleibender Schaden" soll unterhalten. Und das gelingt. Ich kannte von Colfer bisher nur die Artemis Fowl-Reihe. Ich hatte daher definitiv andere Erwartungen an das Buch, die zwar nicht erfüllt wurden, das Buch hat mich aber auch nicht enttäuscht. Colfer ist ein toller Autor und schildert mit viel Humor drei verschiedene Verbrechen, die auf dem Papier nichts und irgendwie doch alles miteinander zu tun haben (Mord an der Kellnerin, Drogen, illegale ärztliche Behandlungen). Ich würde jetzt nicht behaupten, es sei tiefgründig, aber leichte Kost ist es deswegen nicht, weil man die ganze Zeit folgen muss, um alle Anspielungen, Entwicklungen und Hintergründigkeiten mitzubekommen. Die Übersetzung ist nicht schlecht, aber eine Übersetzung kann eben auch nur so viel bieten, das alte Problem.

Einige Anspielungen und Aussagen versteht man auch eigentlich nur, wenn man das englische Pendant kennt. Ein Verletzter Mafioso murmelt "Mutter..." und der Protagonist kommentiert das à la entweder er ruft nach Mama oder er flucht. Wenn man das entsprechende englische Schimpfwort kennt, ergibt diese Aussage auch Sinn, im Deutschen aber nicht. Das schmälert das Lesevergnügen dann doch etwas, obwohl ich abgesehen von derlei Kleinigkeiten doch viel Spaß beim Lesen hatte. Das nächste Buch aus der Reihe wanderte denn auch ziemlich schnell auf den Sub (aber auf englisch, vorsichtshalber ;) ). Ich bin gespannt! ...more May 09, 2012 Rob Kitchin rated it really liked it I liked Plugged a lot. There’s plenty to like - a zip along plot; lots of action; plenty of twists and turns; some very funny scenes; a healthy dose of witty one liners; and a load of colourful characters. It reads like a movie script for a Jason Statham or Vin Diesel vehicle.

In many ways, it kind of reminded me of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series and Chris Grabenstein’s John Ceepak series. And like the Plum and Ceepak novels, it’s set in New Jersey. After Florida, New Jersey is clearly I liked Plugged a lot. There’s plenty to like - a zip along plot; lots of action; plenty of twists and turns; some very funny scenes; a healthy dose of witty one liners; and a load of colourful characters. It reads like a movie script for a Jason Statham or Vin Diesel vehicle. In many ways, it kind of reminded me of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series and Chris Grabenstein’s John Ceepak series. And like the Plum and Ceepak novels, it’s set in New Jersey. After Florida, New Jersey is clearly the place for comic crime capers, especially those involving the Mob. Where I had some difficulties was with the main character, Danny McEvoy.

McEvoy is clearly meant to be hiding from the past, drifting along in a dead end job, living in a crappy apartment below a psychotic neighbour, in a nothing town, with no love life beyond the occasional tumble with a hostess, and no friends beyond a very dodgy doctor. And yet Danny does not come across as being the kind of guy who has no friends, barely any love life, and puts up with living in a crappy unit with mad neighbours – he’s too together, too self-reflexive, too resourceful and too nice. Something didn’t quite add up, despite his history with an army therapist. Clearly as a comic crime caper the plot is hardly believable, and its choched full of larger-than-life characters and cliches, but there has to be some ring of truth. Danny's backstory in Lebanon has that, but not quite the frontstory. This is not a deal breaker, just a niggle; as noted above there is plenty to like about the book. Indeed, Plugged is a very assured move into adult crime fiction by an author who has sold a bazillion kids books and is recommended to all those who like their comic crime capers with a healthy dose of violence and mayhem.

...more Dec 18, 2012 Tiina rated it liked it Recommends it for: Artemis Fowl fans I read Plugged because I love the Artemis Fowl series and I liked it - didn't love it, didn't hate it. It had all the elements that made me love Artemis but at the same time I feel like there should have been something more... This was a book for adults, after all, and I expected to see at least some new sides of Colfer. Things that I liked? The book was definitely interesting: the plot was very fast-paced and the scenes followed each other without any room for exhaling: there was no real possibi I read Plugged because I love the Artemis Fowl series and I liked it - didn't love it, didn't hate it. It had all the elements that made me love Artemis but at the same time I feel like there should have been something more... This was a book for adults, after all, and I expected to see at least some new sides of Colfer. Things that I liked?

The book was definitely interesting: the plot was very fast-paced and the scenes followed each other without any room for exhaling: there was no real possibility for me to quit reading. The characters were very eccentric and very memorable, and the main character had my sympathies, which is always important. The writing style was nice because it was so familiar from my childhood and the plot was also full of surprises. Though I suspected that everything is probably not what it seems like at first, Colfer still managed to make my jaw drop. However, it almost seemed like there was too much going on for one novel: it was very hard to see the whole picture. I didn't like the humor and there was A LOT of it, and I also didn't care for the whole setting with mafia gangsters and drug dealers. In addition, I didn't find the action scenes credible at all. All in all, this book is very action-packed and easy to read, maybe even a must for every Artemis Fowl fan. It is by no means perfect but it has its merits - just be sure not to read it if you have very strict ideas about good taste. ...more Shelves: best-ever 5/5 Stars A great read!

The audiobook version is better because the reader is so spot-on with the different voices (particularly Zeb, an amoral unlicensed Jewish doctor), but the print version deserves 5 stars also. Funny and surprisingly deep with many layers that induces a lot of thoughtful introspection. If laugh out loud mysteries is your thing, then Plugged definitely deserves its prime location on your bookshelf. This is Colfer's second adult book and I believe his best (yep, read the YA Ar 5/5 Stars A great read! The audiobook version is better because the reader is so spot-on with the different voices (particularly Zeb, an amoral unlicensed Jewish doctor), but the print version deserves 5 stars also. Funny and surprisingly deep with many layers that induces a lot of thoughtful introspection. If laugh out loud mysteries is your thing, then Plugged definitely deserves its prime location on your bookshelf. This is Colfer's second adult book and I believe his best (yep, read the YA Artemis Fowls). Colfer tells the story in first person and the story zips from the present to past and back to the present in such a way that it never breaks the flow of the story.

As an avid reader for a lot of decades I can say I have never read a book where the flashbacks were done with more skill. The plot is a mystery where the hero/detective is an Irish expat who is the bouncer at a Jersey titty bar/casino when several people around him start dying (only one is his fault). The humor is pervasive throughout the book but subtle. This is a book I keep relistening to every year and have enjoyed it as much or more each time. Can there be better praise than that? While I read the book first, I greatly favor the audiobook version for the excellent narration. The production is flawless and the voices for the various characters, from Irish psycharists to corporals in the Irish Army to low-level Jersey gangsters, is simply inspired genius. Definitely one of the Top 10 professional and enjoyable narration performances in my 450+ audiobook library. ...more Apr 27, 2012 J.J. Toner rated it it was amazing This is how to write superb noir. Dripping with cutting-edge dialogue and inspired narrative tricks, Colfer’s high-fibre tale goes down as smooth as an intravenous drip.

I particularly liked the disembodied voice in our hero’s head. What a clever device this is. Colfer uses it in place of internal dialogue and for comic effect. It’s written in first person present tense, a combination that I usually find distracting at best, off-putting at worst. Eoin pulls it off with ease, in a strong engaging This is how to write superb noir. Dripping with cutting-edge dialogue and inspired narrative tricks, Colfer’s high-fibre tale goes down as smooth as an intravenous drip. I particularly liked the disembodied voice in our hero’s head. What a clever device this is. Colfer uses it in place of internal dialogue and for comic effect. It’s written in first person present tense, a combination that I usually find distracting at best, off-putting at worst. Eoin pulls it off with ease, in a strong engaging voice; a sure sign of a talented writer. It’s crammed with quotable passages. Pick your own from any page. Here’s a couple that I chose at random: ‘Army basic is a lot like school. You learn a lot of junk that you won’t ever need, and miss out on stuff that could save your life.

I’ve been cracking heads for twenty-five years now and not once did spit-shined shoes or a shipshape locker give me an edge.’ ‘Zeb spits blood and a tooth. It sits like an iceberg in the sunset sea.’ The book deals cleverly and effectively with UK/US language differences, so that it will appeal equally to readers on both sides of the Atlantic. Buy this book. It’s a real gem. I hope he writes some more of these. Shelves: detective-novels When I was reading this book, I spent a lot of time mentally comparing it to Warren Ellis' book, Crooked Little Vein. Both have the same gritty feel, and unapologetic grossness (ie, our narrator often reminisces about how he met his friend Zeb by crashing into the office as Zeb was injecting fat into someone's dick. Yeah, it's one of those kinds of books.) Still, while I wasn't always caught up by the humor, our 'hero' has a decent sense of snark, and is a decent guy deep down. Plus, the author ma When I was reading this book, I spent a lot of time mentally comparing it to Warren Ellis' book, Crooked Little Vein.

Both have the same gritty feel, and unapologetic grossness (ie, our narrator often reminisces about how he met his friend Zeb by crashing into the office as Zeb was injecting fat into someone's dick. Yeah, it's one of those kinds of books.) Still, while I wasn't always caught up by the humor, our 'hero' has a decent sense of snark, and is a decent guy deep down. Plus, the author makes good use of the character's PTSD and army training, which makes the abnormal circumstances slightly more believable. Sure, a normal bouncer wouldn't be able to do half of the things this guy does. But since we're shown how he knows the things and developed his instincts, it works. The 'mystery's solution caught me by surprise, and I enjoyed how cleverly the main guy navigated all the bullshit that the plot kept throwing at him. Probably not Colfer's best novel (I think that goes to The Wish List, for being both hilarious and heart warming). While entertaining, and an easy read, it's ultimately a cold and empty story, despite all the comedy. ...more Sep 24, 2011 Gabriela rated it liked it Meh.

The whole book was just meh. I was looking forward to Plugged since I'm now an adult who first read Artemis Fowl when I was twelve, ten years ago. Yay, an adult book from one of my favorite series authors, but I was disappointed. It wasn't really that funny, nor did I really like Daniel McEvoy. I'm not sure if the writing, plot, or characterization was the issue. I'm going towards writing I think. The plot was interesting, and looking back, I think that's the reason I stuck with it. Plugged Meh. The whole book was just meh. I was looking forward to Plugged since I'm now an adult who first read Artemis Fowl when I was twelve, ten years ago. Yay, an adult book from one of my favorite series authors, but I was disappointed. It wasn't really that funny, nor did I really like Daniel McEvoy. I'm not sure if the writing, plot, or characterization was the issue. I'm going towards writing I think. The plot was interesting, and looking back, I think that's the reason I stuck with it.

Plugged just seemed to plod along and I had to read another book in the middle of it to take a break. At some points I thought to stop and cut my losses, but continued at it because it's Colfer. The Artemis series gets better and better (with exception of Atlantis Complex) so I'll try another adult novel by Colfer if he writes any. My BEA ARC includes the tag line "If you loved Artemis Fowl...It's time to grow up" Well. If this is what it's like to grow up, I hope I never have to. Nov 28, 2011 Judy rated it liked it All of the reviews I read prior to reading this book compared it to Carl Hiaasen's works. I assumed that meant it would be funny even if only in a dark way. It wasn't funny at all. There might have been one moment where I cracked a smile but that was it. The characters were strange. The plot was absurd. It should have been hysterical. It wasn't.

In fact at some points I wondered if I was reading a serious crime novel but then something silly would happen and I would realize that no, it was tryin All of the reviews I read prior to reading this book compared it to Carl Hiaasen's works. I assumed that meant it would be funny even if only in a dark way. It wasn't funny at all. There might have been one moment where I cracked a smile but that was it. The characters were strange. The plot was absurd. It should have been hysterical. It wasn't. In fact at some points I wondered if I was reading a serious crime novel but then something silly would happen and I would realize that no, it was trying to be funny again. The hero of the book is an Irish ex-army man. Perhaps, since I am not Irish, I missed all the humor. That's the only explanation I can think of. For the most part it was entertaining and a very quick read. If you like film noir then you'll probably appreciate this one. If you don't, it will likely disappoint as it doesn't have much else to offer.

...more PROTAGONIST: Daniel McEvoy, Irish casino bouncer SETTING: New Jersey RATING: 3.0 WHY: Daniel McEvoy is a bouncer at a shabby casino in New Jersey. The owner is a real slime who mistreats employees and young women. In a game of poker, Daniel wins the casino. One of the casino waitresses who Daniel fancies is killed, so he investigates. He has other irons in the fire - his shady hair transplant surgeon has disappeared and his landlord believes that he is her long lost husband. The book is entertainin PROTAGONIST: Daniel McEvoy, Irish casino bouncer SETTING: New Jersey RATING: 3.0 WHY: Daniel McEvoy is a bouncer at a shabby casino in New Jersey. The owner is a real slime who mistreats employees and young women. In a game of poker, Daniel wins the casino. One of the casino waitresses who Daniel fancies is killed, so he investigates. He has other irons in the fire - his shady hair transplant surgeon has disappeared and his landlord believes that he is her long lost husband.

The book is entertaining and at times laugh-out-loud funny, but it doesn't hold together real well, with threads tangled all over the place. Colfer is the author of the Artemis Fowl young adult series; PLUGGED marks his first foray into crime fiction. Colfer's first foray into the world of grown-ups and we start out in a Casino; there is a hostess, a bouncer and a tongue-on punter. Things are looking up! ------------ Later - see where I wrote about this being Colfer's entrance into the adult world, the trouble is he brought the whole puerile schoolboy humour thing along with him in his satchel. It is Saturday night, I was looking for some off the wall whacky, quite prepared for some vernacular, however this is not it. Artemis Fowle 2001 - 4* The Colfer's first foray into the world of grown-ups and we start out in a Casino; there is a hostess, a bouncer and a tongue-on punter. Things are looking up!

------------ Later - see where I wrote about this being Colfer's entrance into the adult world, the trouble is he brought the whole puerile schoolboy humour thing along with him in his satchel. It is Saturday night, I was looking for some off the wall whacky, quite prepared for some vernacular, however this is not it. Artemis Fowle 2001 - 4* The Legend of Spud Murphy 2004 - 3* And Another Thing 2009 - 2.5* May 04, 2011 Paul Hulford rated it really liked it · review of another edition Eoin Colfer's best book for years. Anyone who is familiar with the Artemis Fowl books will know how clever and funny Eoin Colfer's books can be. This is his first "adult" offering and it's a welcome return to form, with dozens of laugh-out-loud moments. We accompany Daniel McEvoy, an ex Irish Army Sergeant, now seedy casino bouncer, on a journey through murder, misunderstandings and schizophrenia - and all because he wanted a full head of hair!

After my disappointment with the last Artemis Fowl and Eoin Colfer's best book for years. Anyone who is familiar with the Artemis Fowl books will know how clever and funny Eoin Colfer's books can be. This is his first "adult" offering and it's a welcome return to form, with dozens of laugh-out-loud moments. We accompany Daniel McEvoy, an ex Irish Army Sergeant, now seedy casino bouncer, on a journey through murder, misunderstandings and schizophrenia - and all because he wanted a full head of hair! After my disappointment with the last Artemis Fowl and Hitchhikers guide books, this is a true return to form from a very witty writer. I just hope that he hasn't signed his soul over to Disney when agreeing his recent three book deal, as I'd love to see more of Daniel. Shelves: crime-mystery , humour A book that keeps my partner reading until he finishes it in one sitting in the early hours? Okay, i'll read it. This was a nice and easy read. It never dragged, there was always something going on, something interesting to read. It was funny and mildly gross (two pluses for me).

I didn't like a single character, but that's pretty normal for me. Oct 13, 2011 Aaron rated it liked it This book would have been 4 stars but for the excessive swearing. It was as if Eoin said to himself, "Self, I am going to write my first adult book. Let's see... how can I make sure nobody thinks this is another kids book...hm....I know, I will include 1000000 F-words!" All joking aside, it was a fun and funny crime drama.

Question: What series of children's books is written by Eoin Colfer?
Answer: THE 'ARTEMIS FOWL' BOOKS